As a seasoned restaurant chef with a decade of experience, I understand the value of reliable kitchen equipment. In this article, we’re focusing on two renowned Dutch ovens: the Great Jones “The Dutchess” and the Staub Dutch Oven. We’ll compare them based on several key aspects to help you choose the one that best fits your cooking needs. These aspects include:
- Material
- Weight
- Heat retention and compatibility
- Lid fit
- Handles and product design
- Colors
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Durability and performance
- Warranty
- Price
Staub is a popular premium cookware brand, often compared to Le Creuset. I purchased the Staub 5-quart Round Cocotte Dutch Oven and was excited to try it out.
The Dutchess Dutch Oven by Great Jones is a culinary workhorse that combines quality craftsmanship and timeless design. This pot is not only incredibly functional, but it’s also a striking display piece that you won’t want to stow away. I will briefly discuss its built and cooking performance below.
In the current market, Staub is among the TOP-5 best-rated options of dutch ovens.
Let’s dive into the details of each Dutch oven and see how they stack up against each other, helping you decide which one is more suitable for your culinary adventures.
Staub VS Great Jones: Material
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Staub Dutch Ovens are constructed from high-quality cast iron, which is renowned for its excellent heat retention and even heat distribution. The interior is coated with an enamel glaze that prevents rust and food from sticking. | The Dutchess boasts high-quality enameled cast iron construction, ensuring even heat distribution for slow cooking. Its 4.75-inch walls protect against splattering and allow for ample food portions. Its spacious oval shape accommodates large cuts of meat, making it ideal for braising. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Weight
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Staub Dutch Ovens tend to be on the heavier side due to their cast iron construction. While this weight is excellent for retaining heat, it might be a concern for those who prefer lightweight cookware. | Great Jones “The Dutchess” Dutch Oven is a bit hefty but not as heavy as other premium Dutch oven brands. So far, the weight is manageable, as I can lift and maneuver it without too much effort. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Heat Retention and Compatibility
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| The Staub Dutch Oven excelled in heat retention. It maintains the temperature throughout the cooking process consistently. It is versatile and suitable for various cooking methods. It performed exceptionally well on both the stovetop and oven. | The Dutchess Dutch Oven excels in heat retention. It maintains steady temperatures for tender and flavorful slow-cooked dishes. It’s also highly compatible with various heat sources, including gas, electric, induction, and ovens up to 500°F (260°C), facilitating seamless transitions between stovetop and oven cooking for various recipes. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Lid Fit
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| The tight-fitting lid in Staub Dutch Ovens ensures a snug seal, trapping moisture and flavor inside the pot, making it ideal for long-simmering dishes. | This Dutch oven performs well overall, but the lid fit has a slight issue, as it tends to trap steam, leading to some excessive condensation. However, this is a minor concern and doesn’t significantly affect the cooking process. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Handles and Product Design
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| The Staub Dutch Oven features ergonomic handles, although I find the space a bit narrow. It makes it slightly challenging to lift the pot, especially when wearing oven mitts. Despite this handle design concern, the Dutch Oven’s overall product design is stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Its striking enameled exterior adds an elegant touch to the kitchen, making it a versatile piece suitable for cooking and serving. | This Dutch oven‘s ergonomic handles make it easy to handle, even when full, and they are mitt-friendly. Its retro-inspired oval shape and vibrant color options provide a stylish yet contemporary appearance. Additionally, the sleek, glossy enamel finish enhances its aesthetic appeal. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Colors
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Staub offers various elegant and vibrant colors to match your kitchen decor. | The Dutchess is available in a variety of elegant and eye-catching color options, including Sapphire Blue, Forest Green, Golden Yellow, Dusty Pink, Black, and White. You can select which color suits your kitchen best. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Maintenance and Cleaning
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Maintaining the Staub Dutch Oven is a breeze. The enamel interior is resistant to staining and remarkably easy to clean. After hours of slow-cooking the short ribs, I only needed a brief soak and a gentle scrub to have it looking as good as new. | Cleaning the Great Jones Dutch Oven is effortless due to its enameled interior. It is also dishwasher-safe, which is time-saving. Food residue comes off easily, and unlike traditional cast iron, it doesn’t need seasoning, making it low-maintenance. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Durability and Performance
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Staub Dutch Ovens are renowned for their durability and performance. They can last a lifetime if well-maintained and are a chef’s favorite for slow-cooked stews and braises. | I find the Great Jones Dutch oven to be durable. Its construction seems sturdy enough to last years as long as it is properly maintained and cared for. In terms of performance, it is consistent and reliable in delivering excellent dishes. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Warranty
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Staub provides a lifetime warranty with certain limitations for their cast iron cookware. This warranty addresses functional, material, and manufacturing defects found in cast iron cookware. | Great Jones offers a lifetime warranty on their cookware, covering manufacturing defects and faults in materials and crafts under everyday consumer use. |
Staub VS Great Jones: Price
| Staub | Great Jones |
|---|---|
| Staub Dutch Ovens are an investment with a price point that reflects their quality. They may not be the most budget-friendly option, but their longevity and performance make them worth it. | The Dutchess generally costs more compared to the Staub Dutch Oven, but its enhanced features and lifetime warranty may justify the higher cost for those looking for long-term value. |
Cooking Test
In our culinary comparison, we put the Great Jones and the Staub Dutch Oven to the test by cooking delicious Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. We aimed to compare their performance in three key areas: browning capabilities, ability to retain moisture, and the overall flavor of the final dish.
Browning
Regarding the browning process, each Dutch oven excelled in its performance. Both evenly and effectively browned the short ribs, establishing a flavorful foundation for the braising liquid. The heat distribution in both the Great Jones and the Staub cookware was noteworthy, guaranteeing a perfect sear on the meat.
Moisture Retention
Preserving moisture is crucial in slow-cooked recipes such as Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. Both the Great Jones “The Dutchess” and the Staub Dutch Oven showcased exceptional abilities in retaining moisture throughout the cooking process.
Final Flavor
Each Dutch oven yielded exceptional outcomes, culminating in dishes rich in flavor. The combination of uniform cooking and effective moisture retention led to a result that was juicy, tender, and deeply flavorful. Distinguishing between the final flavors from the two Dutch ovens proved challenging, as both surpassed our expectations in taste quality.
How We Tested
The aim of our cooking experiment was to rigorously test the performance of both Dutch ovens under actual cooking conditions.
We started by placing the Dutch ovens next to each other on the stovetop, heating them to the required temperature. In each oven, we seared the short ribs to achieve an even browning, carefully observing their heat distribution capabilities and their effectiveness in searing the meat to enhance its flavor.
Once we attained the perfect browning, we added the other ingredients necessary for the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, including various liquids and aromatic components. We followed the recipe precisely for both Dutch ovens, ensuring the heat levels were consistent during the entire cooking process.
During the slow-cooking stage, we kept an eye on how effectively each Dutch oven maintained moisture, focusing on how well their lids sealed to preserve the right amount of steam and moisture within the dish.
Upon completion of the recommended cooking duration, we carried out a detailed evaluation of the taste, focusing on the tenderness, flavor depth, and overall quality of the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs cooked in each Dutch oven.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after a thorough examination and hands-on cooking test involving both the Great Jones “The Dutchess” and the Staub Dutch Oven, it’s clear that Staub emerges as the winner in this culinary showdown. While both Dutch ovens showcased exceptional performance in browning, moisture retention, and flavor delivery, Staub edged out in several critical areas.
The Staub Dutch Oven’s impeccable heat retention and consistent cooking temperature, combined with its superior lid fit, ensured optimal moisture retention and flavor infusion in our Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. The ergonomic yet slightly narrow handles did not overshadow its stylish design and outstanding performance. Moreover, its durability, easy maintenance, and lifetime warranty, alongside a variety of color options, make it a valuable investment for any kitchen.
While the Great Jones “The Dutchess” also performed admirably and is a worthy contender with its own set of strengths, including an array of vibrant colors and user-friendly design, it falls just short in comparison to Staub’s time-tested reliability and chef-favored functionality.
In essence, for chefs and home cooks seeking a Dutch oven that combines longevity, performance, and aesthetic appeal, the Staub Dutch Oven stands out as the superior choice.
Don’t forget to check out the top Dutch ovens hand-picked by chef Bradley Thompson.